ASEAN Govts Need To Ensure Power Grid Interconnection Becomes A Reality - Sarawak Energy

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- ASEAN governments need to ensure that the interconnection of their power grids becomes a reality as there will be no energy transition without the interconnectivity in this region, said Sarawak Energy Bhd group chief executive officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili. 

“We envision a trans-ASEAN grid similar to what they have in Europe, where you can share your reserve margin and deliver renewable energy from areas that have the resources to places without. 

“And that will help to create an economy of scale and increase the affordability, ensuring that we can bring the whole region to transition,” he added. 

Sharbini said this during a plenary session on “Shaping Regional Energy Transition-From Malaysia to Beyond” held at Enlit Asia 2024 here today.

He pointed out that hydropower in Sarawak has always been the foundation of the state’s transition journey towards sustainable economic growth.

“We would like to share what we have with our neighbours. So, for a start, we know that the interconnection between all the (ASEAN) countries, long distances, and challenges in terms of political, financial, and market risk will take a long time for us to realise that.

“And if we just rely on the government to do that, it will take a long time. So, what we have decided is that the private sector needs to drive this,” he pointed out. 

Sharbini said Sarawak Energy has been driving the Borneo grid, and the company connected the power grid to West Kalimantan in 2016.

He said discussions are also ongoing with Brunei and Singapore, as well as Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) concerning subsea cable to Peninsular Malaysia.

“Hopefully, we’ll connect to Sabah by the end of the year or next year,” he added.

Sharbini also highlighted the need for the governments involved to cooperate and enable policies to support the private sector in the energy industry.

“We need to drive the private sector, but you need enabling policies from the policymakers,” he said.

Sharbini stressed that the ASEAN platform was vital and hoped that when Malaysia takes over its chairmanship next year, the country would be able to drive the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) and ensure that the member countries could share and help the region’s energy transition.

Meanwhile, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) president and chief executive officer Datuk Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan said power capacity demand in Malaysia could triple from the current capacity by 2050 as the country is moving rapidly towards energy transition. 

In terms of regional perspective, he said the growth of electricity demand for ASEAN countries would also be three to four times higher than the current capacity. 

“At the same time, we are also seeing the intent to have the adoption of renewable energy in the generation capacity with the target to achieve the net-zero ambition that is being committed by the countries in ASEAN, including Malaysia, and Malaysia has committed to be net zero by 2050,” he added. 

Megat Jalaluddin stressed that ASEAN governments should focus on five main elements to ensure the APG becomes a reality, including harmonising the regulatory framework among the countries.

“Other elements include a physical connection through the development of infrastructure for the power system and also creating a good trading platform to enable both technical and commercial arrangements to happen in a single market,” he said.

Megat Jalaluddin said sharing and supporting financial investment would be critical for a country like Malaysia and the ASEAN region as investment for the physical infrastructure and renewable energy generation were typically heavy.

He also noted that knowledge, capability, and capacity building were vital to the APG’s foundation. 

“We have to understand that the pace of each country will be different, but what is more important is that we have a good understanding of how to move forward with respect to the energy transition for the region,” he added.

-- BERNAMA